James’ Brand New Blog

Samantha Davey, in her dance costume, at the Western Fair surrounded by friends from Andrea’s Dance Studio in Parkhill there to support her. Courtesy of the Davey family

JBNBlog is not certain . . . but it looks as if Parkhill’s Andrea Wegg has helped lift another contender to the Western Fair’s “youth talent search” crown.

On Sunday, Samantha Davey, who has studied at Andrea’s Dance Studio in Parkhill, was judged the winner of the 2o12 Rise 2 Fame youth talent search at the fair.

The media release follows. The event’s 2010 winner, Cassandra Hodgins of London, is a contender for role of Dorothy in CBC-TV’s Over the Rainbow show.

Back in 20o4, four young dancers from Wegg’s studio teamed as an acrobatic ensemble and won the Western Fair competition as the Cirque du Soleil influenced Insect and then went on to win the national title.

Details on Samantha Davey will be gratefully received etc.

Here is the media release from the Western Fair’s Heather Blackwell

2012 WESTERN FAIR RISE 2 FAME WINNERS

This year’s Western Fair Rise 2 Fame competition included a multi-talented line-up of young people including musicians, dancers, singers and entertainers, winners of regional competitions held over the summer from Barrie to Essex.

This evening saw Samantha Davey win with her dance solo, “The Discovery.” Runner-up Jocleyn Fairman performed a vocal solo “Breaking Up Is Hard To Do.” Samantha will now go on to compete in the National Youth Talent Championship which will be held in November of this year in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

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About James Reaney

James Reaney has covered everything from operas to Neil Young concerts to baseball's World Series in more than 30 years at The London Free Press. Now, he concentrates on London entertainment in his Saturday Today section column and Forest City lore in a Saturday Comment section column called My London. He is the host of two weekly video. lfpress.com features. One is Reaney's Pick, an online platform for London performers. The other is It's On, a guide to the best of the local scene.

James is a passionate supporter of the Jack Richardson Music Awards, the host of an annual gala and other free events in London's only not-for-profit recognition of our musical excellence. He is also an active member of the London & Middlesex Historical Society.

James Stewart Reaney has covered everything from operas to Neil Young concerts to baseball's World Series in more than 30 years at The London Free Press. Now, he concentrates on London entertainment in his Saturday Today section column and Forest City lore in a Saturday Comment section column called My London.

In addition to James' Brand New Blog, his online commitments at lfpress.com have seen him host two weekly video features. One is Reaney's Pick, an online platform for London performers. The other is It's On, a guide to the best of the local scene. A passionate supporter of London arts & culture, James is a member of the Jack Richardson London Music Awards volunteer board. The JRLMA hosts an annual gala as London's only not-for-profit recognition of our musical excellence. He is a member of the London & Middlesex Historical Association.